Rory Sloane says he “owed it to the team” to have a big last quarter against the Bulldogs after a quiet performance by his lofty standards.

After fellow acting co-captain Patrick Dangerfield did his best to keep Adelaide in the contest in the first half, Sloane willed his team over the line with a series of inspiring acts in the final term.

The reigning Crows Club Champion, who had 11 disposals to three-quarter time, stood up when it mattered. He collected a team-high seven possessions, three marks and two inside 50ms in the final quarter. He also kicked a crucial goal to stop a run of three unanswered goals by the Dogs and handed off another to Josh Jenkins.

Sloane’s defensive efforts were equally as important. The gutsy 24-year-old laid three tackles and pushed back to spoil a would-be Bulldogs’ mark on their attacking 50m arc. With 50 seconds to play, Sloane desperately lunged across the boot of veteran Bob Murphy to smother a certain forward entry by the Dogs.

“I never dive for a smother, but for some reason I thought I would … it was lucky my hands got there,” Sloane said.

The hard-working midfielder’s final-quarter earned high praise from teammate James Podsiadly.

“Everyone here has heaps of talent, but the effort of Rory Sloane just shows what you need to do to win these close games,” Podsiadly said.

A typically modest Sloane said he just felt he needed to lift for the team.

“Once they hit the front, especially, I just didn't want to lose the game and I could see that the other guys didn't want to either. As a team, we lifted,” Sloane said.

“It's good to be able to hang on and win those close ones because you've got to win those games to make finals and sometimes you've got to win ugly.

“It was just great to be able to contribute in that last quarter because I was probably a bit down. I sort of felt like I owed a bit to everyone to have a half-decent last quarter.”

Sloane also had kind words to say about Podsiadly, who was another major factor in Adelaide’s nail-biting nine-point win at Etihad Stadium.

Podsiadly kicked three goals from 12 possessions and took six marks, including four contested. He also helped out in defence in the dying stages, taking a saving mark in the backline in the final minute of the game.

“Once we started getting the ball in there to Pods, it worked very well for us,” Sloane said.

“That was probably half the problem in the last quarter; we couldn't get clearances and give Pods first use down there, which was a bit of a shame. He was in great form. We would've loved to get a few more into his hands and he probably could've kicked a handful. He looked so dangerous.

“The forward line is looking sharp at the moment, so hopefully we can keep getting the ball down there and kick some goals.”

Forward Tom Lynch also reminded the wider football public of his importance to the team.

In his first full game of the season, Adelaide’s 2013 leading goalkicker amassed 25 possessions and seven marks. He also kicked two goals and was involved in four other Crows scores.

“Lynchy was never going to be the sub again,” Sloane said with a laugh.

“His ability to work players over is so good. He was able to run himself into some form today and had a really good day.”

Adelaide’s forward line will be bolstered by the return of two-time leading goalkicker Taylor Walker in the coming weeks. Walker made a successful return from a serious knee injury in the Club’s SANFL clash with Glenelg on Friday night.

Sloane was among the host of Crows players and staff on hand to witness Walker’s comeback.

“The way Tex looked the other night was awesome. It was so good to have such a big crowd there for him,” Sloane said.

“I know I got goosebumps when he kicked that first goal. It was so good to see him out there and back to good form. Every single bloke was in that huddle. It was amazing.

“I think we’ll make room for him in our forward line.”

With a six-day break between games, Adelaide will quickly shift its focus to Melbourne on Saturday.

The twilight match at Adelaide Oval will be the first time 2010 Crows best and fairest-winner Bernie Vince lines up against his former club.

“It'll be good playing against Bernie. He's been playing very well and it'll be strange seeing him in a Demons jumper,” Sloane said.

“We all love Bernie and our fans all love Bernie. It'll be great to see him and I'm sure he's going to love playing at Adelaide Oval.”

The Crows recovered from 28 points down early in the second quarter against the Dogs to lead by four goals early in the final term. Sloane said consistency across four quarters remained a work in progress for his side.

“We started off poorly and it was disappointed to finish like that too, but at the same time it was good to hang on and win. We definitely needed that win,” he said.

“We've got to be able to sustain the pressure like we put on them in the second and third quarter. We've got to do that for longer because that's what wins us games.

“We're good when we can go fast and attack off those turnovers.”